Czech Party Keeps Klaus; Fails
To Vote on Cabinet Involvement

By

David Rocks Special to The Wall Street Journal

Updated Dec. 15, 1997 12:01 a.m. ET

PRAGUE -- A weekend conclave reconfirmed Vaclav Klaus as chairman of the Civic Democratic Party but left open the party's participation in the next Czech cabinet, delaying the formation of a new government.

Delegates at the national party congress Sunday re-elected Mr. Klaus by a margin of 227 to 72 for his closest competitor. The congress also elected four deputy chairmen -- all of whom are known as being to loyal to Mr. Klaus -- and...